Doctors in Newport
On the bend of Cupar Road, on what was previously always known as ‘doctor’s corner’, stands the house which previously held the surgery. In the 1860s the local minister contacted Sir James Simpson (famed for first using chloroform as an anaesthetic) in Edinburgh, and asked him to recommend a young doctor for the village.
Doctor Stewart
Doctor John Stewart, a native of Channelkirk in Berwickshire, duly arrived, and this house Lovaine was built for him. The surgery was held in Lovaine Villa for over 100 years. By the late 1890s Doctor John was being helped by his sons Dr Fred and Dr Thomas Stewart. The latter was affectionately referred to as ‘Docy Thom’, and he eventually took over the practice on his father’s death in 1908. Docy Thom also lived at Lovaine. Dr John Stewart was the owner of the first motor car in Newport.
A Flamboyant Practitioner
Docy Thom was assisted by Dr Montague Rust, from all accounts a rather colourful and flamboyant character. Dr Rust practised in Newport for 33 yrs, living first of all at Hollybank on West Road, then at Westcroft, the house at the bottom of Castlebrae which was built for him in 1909. Early in his career he had gone off to help in the Boer War, giving no notice of his departure, but returned safely to continue his work in Newport. He was a great believer in, and practitioner of, spiritualism and faith healing. Much later, he erected a neon sign in his garden at Westcroft to advertise his services. Other doctors clearly didn’t think much of this as they reported him, probably to the General Medical Council, for advertising. After the death of his wife in the 1930s he left Newport. He would later return to South Africa, where apparently he sank, and lost, all his money in nursing homes. He died in Cape Town in 1950 aged 76.
Father-Son
From the 1930s Lovaine was occupied by Dr Taylor, and he operated his practice from the surgery there. Also from the late 1930s Dr Mackintosh practised from his surgery round the corner in Scott Street. Dr Mackintosh would later be followed by his son and grandson. With six of our doctors from just two families, the father-son tradition has certainly been strong among Newport doctors.
Relocation
From 1965 Lovaine was occupied by Dr Macleod, and he was joined by Dr Kenneth Mackintosh. The surgery continued there until 1978 when a new purpose-built surgery was opened in Victoria Street. This was extended in 1989 then completely rebuilt and reopened in 2006.
Grateful thanks to Dr Martin Hepworth for the photographs on this page and in our archive.
For other related images please search our archive.
Comments about this page
Dr Taylor’s wife was an accomplished musician, a talent inherited by their son Claude who was my classmate at the High School in Dundee & fellow Scout. Claude’s family & my father & I worshipped at St Fillan’s Free Church. The regular organist was Mr Adams, reputedly a house-painter from Dundee. In his absence Mrs Taylor played the organ, a good deal better than Mr Adams!
Thanks for this Katie. Were you in the side of the house next to Cupar Road or next to the bowling green? Dr Mackintosh was in the side next to the bowling green.
This has been really interesting to read, as a child I lived in the house on the corner of Scott street. I remember being told as a child that the house used to be a doctors surgery, but it has been difficult to find information on this. So it’s nice that someone else can confirm this for me. Thank you 😊
I can remember going to Dr Taylor as a small child in the 50s to have a septic thumb treated. I think I remember being told not to make a great fuss about it! I also remember a little later playing piano duets with his daughter at his house – arrangements of Beethoven symphonies. I was staying with my grandmother, Margaret Pae, Craigmount, Prospect Terrace, while my parents were in Africa.
I can remember going to Dr Macintosh (later known as ‘Old’ Dr Macintosh) when I was young.
He had his own surgery in Scott Street, immediately next door to the Bowling Club.
I always thought that the two surgeries – Dr Macintosh and Dr Taylor, were separate.
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